Gibbs and Ducky return from lunch to find the kids looking at
an unknown document.

An established relationship story.

Written: September 2008. Word count: 500.

Gibbs and Ducky returned to the squad room after a rather extended lunch break
Given it was rare he took a lunch break at all, Gibbs had absolutely no qualms
over the extra time they had taken. And it was their anniversary.

He was still somewhat bemused to find himself not only remembering the date, but
also celebrating it. It was another first among many in his relationship with
Ducky. Normally they'd have gone out to dinner, but Gibbs was due to leave late
in the afternoon for a conference.

"Hey, Ducky," DiNozzo called. "Do you know what this is?" He waved a piece of
paper.

Out of the corner of his eye, Gibbs saw his lover's eyes light up at the
prospect of being able to show off his amazing knowledge and no doubt 'educate'
the kids (and probably him as well).

As Ducky turned to leave his side and go to DiNozzo's desk, Gibbs took the
liberty of removing his hat and putting it on his desk.

Ducky turned back and flashed him a very intimate smile. "Why thank you, my
dear," he said. "Now, Anthony, what is it you wish me to identify?" He crossed
to DiNozzo's desk and took the piece of paper. "Oh, yes," he said, after a
moment or two. "I do indeed know what this is."

Gibbs hid a smile as he tugged off his coat and threw it over the filing
cabinet. "Er, Duck," he called a moment or two later. "Think they want you to
actually tell them."

He was treated to another intimate smile and once again rued the fact he was not
going to be spending the night with Ducky. Even the company of Fornell was
not going to compensate for the lack of a warm, loving body in his arms.

"I do apologize," said Ducky, not sounding the least bit apologetic. "It is a
palimpsest." He beamed at the group, who looked at one another.

"Well, in the strict sense of the word this is not a palimpsest because, as you
may recall, Anthony," even from his desk Gibbs could see an increased twinkle in
Ducky's eyes, "a true palimpsest is usually written on papyrus or parchment.
Whereas this of course is on paper. Nonetheless, as it apart from that
relatively minor point, conforms in other ways, I think we can call it thus."

"Ducky."

"My dear?" Ducky said, now turning to smile at Ziva.

"What is a palimpsest?"

"Ah, I see. Oh, that is easy. It is a manuscript on which more than one text has
been written and the first text has not been fully erased and is thus visible.
You see, you can make out the original message beneath the new one. It's - Oh,
dear."

Fully attuned to every nuance in Ducky's voice, Gibbs noticed the teasing had
gone completely. "Duck?"

"Jethro, I think you had better come over here and read this. Now, Jethro."